Drawing sheet glass



2 Sheets-Sheet l July 28, 1925.

July 2s, 1.925. l 1,547,797

R. G. EWING 'l DRAWING SHEET GLASSv Filed April 6, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented vJuly 2.8, 1925.

UNITED STATE-u xentruur orifice.

Bonner o. swine, or romano. omo; Begreifen.rztmgtnxaunnr A nWiNc, itx- Eournrx or sein annum o. Ewmc, nncmsnn, Assis-Non To mnu mene-OWENS SHEET Gruss COMPANY, or TOLEDO, onto, A. conronA'rrou oromo.

DRAWING SHEET GLASS'.

l Application led April 6, 1918. Serial No. '227,008.

To aZZ whom t may concern:

Be it.v known that I, ROBERT G. EW1NG,-a

'- subject of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, have invented new and useful improvements in` Drawing Sheet Glass, of which the ol- `lowing is a specication.

f' This invention relates to the handling of iglass, especially the continuous production 11S-of sheet glass. v

This invention has utility when incorpol rated in connection with a tank' of molten glass metal, Vand a series ottemperature controlled chambers through which the glass is caused totravel, together With the feature of a hydrocarbon lubricated guide for delivering the glass from the tank 'to the chambers. K v

Referring tothe drawings:

gFig. 1 is` a. vertical ,section through a portion of' a mechanisminvolving features oftheinvention; l

Fig2 is a Section through the bending guide of ig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line III-III, Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line '.lV--Iv Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, looking in the direction y of the arrows Fig. 5 is a detail view in section of e. rotary bending guide; l

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the glass travel way or leer, the top of the Way or housing being removed;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary 'side elevation of A the apparatus of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a curve of time intervals as to temperature drop, illustrative of the ani* nea-ling of the glass herein..

The tenir 1 may be operated herein to have its contents of molten metal as a pool maintained'of constant level in accordance with the disclosure in United States Letters Patent 1,240,185 of Sept. 18, 1917, or this pool of glass may bc .maintained and replenished in any other approved manner. Thrust into the pool 2 of this tank l, to provide a quiet region for draw therefrom, is Well und a temperature controlling medium may be circulated through pipes or channels 4 in the walls of the well,

with the iioW thereof adjusted by the valve The Well 3 is thus effective to localize `rairegon of the molten metal to approximate the" daivinotemperature. This region in the top of t 1e openbottom Well is a floating islet m3411191 of higher temperature. The hot loven ion is an assurance ot' ready free fio'i'vv b uniformly liquid metal supply into the draw well 3. The chill of material in the Well with the resulting gravity tendency to drop, is overcome by the drawing of glass from the Well. If the tank 1 be rotated as in Patent 1,240,185, above noted, this will eife'ct rewarming of Well-chilled undravvn portions and preclude deleterious results therefrom, although it is especially desirable herein that the mass as cooled for continuous draw be cooled only at the rate of Withdrawal, and thatthe cooling be just before withdrawal, in order that its time interval ,at the drawing temperature-l may be short.

Over the drawing well 3 extends the heus V ing 6 providing a chamber 7, which may be automatically controlling` the temperatures.

In its operation, the pyrometer 15 in the chamber 7 controls the motor 16 operating .aI valve 17 in a loW pressure air line 18 supplied through a reducing valve 19 from a reservoir 13. Accordingly with control of vent opening 20 to the outside atmosphere, there may be a definite temperature drop 1n chamber 7.

In the chamber 7 is disposed the fined .bending guide 21 having the radially ein tending fin 22 to give it strength in carrying the draw load of thel glass, even at h1gh temperatures.

rlhis guide 21 has thereinl a. chambcr with a vent or slot 24 spaced from the bottom'thoreoit., A Weir 24C may .co-operate ,in maintaininga liquid in the reservoir 23 up to the slot 24. This slot 24; is narrow, preferably of a length approximating the width of the sheet of glass being drawn. The lower lip of this slot 24 is so disposed as to be contacted by the drawn sheet of glass. In 'other words, the lower lip of the slot 24 is adjacent the region of the guide 21 where the vertical glass 'sheet is tangent in coming to the guide.

Motor 25 driving a shaft 26 serves to drive the pump 27 connected by a duct.28 to the chamber 23 for supplying liquid thereto. The liquid may have a positive circulationand thereby assist incooling the guide 21, as well as lubricating the draw of glass by escaping thereon through ,the vent 24. The lubricatirg substance passing from the chamber 23 flows by a duct 29 to a reservoir 30, where its temperature is maintained loY a pyrometer l5` automatically acting throng the motor 16 in controlling a valve. 3l in a steam supply line 32 to 4a steam coil in thev reservoir 30. This steam coil extends as ine 33 from the reservoir 30. u

With a hydrocarbon, as animal fat, paraffine, beeswax orhydrocarbon oils, the temperature of the liquid in the reservoir 30 maybe raised. The hothydrocarbon supply to the pump 27 through the line 34, seemingly has the property for such further rise in temperature as to come a little closer to the' temperature of the glass than may be the case with steam. `Whatever the theory, a desirable action on the glass appears to come from the use of a hydrocarbon lubricant.

The fluid escaping through the slot 24: serves as a lubricating vapor cushion for supercooling the plastic sheet of drawn glass. Supercooled is used to denote a. drop of temperature in the region of crystallizing temperature whereby crystallization is not efllective, as in water cooled below the freezing point without forming ice. This cushion of igh temperature extends downward slightly below the lower lip of the vent or slot 24.-, t ius supercooling the near face of the sheet of glass formin a thin skin of toughened surface on the g ass prior to the contact of lthe glass with the ybending member, thus assisting the initial set of the sheet. The cushion of lubricant also follows the sheet of glassnpwardly in its short length of travel over the small radius guide 21, thus preventing deterioration of the glass at the bend.

After passing the bending member there is sncient residual heat in the interior and opposite surface to rcheat the thin skin and slightly soften it, bringing the sheet of glass to an equable ten'iperature throughout the l mass.

While the chamber 7 is cooled, the draw of plastic lass is in the range of temperature for ta ing form or initial set. However, by disposing the guide 21 in the less viscous formed sheet region of the outwardly drawn plastic glass from the pool, in this tcmpt-uuture controlled chamber i", isolated from the hot tank l by thi` well 23, there is a maintenance ot viscosity and temperature of thc drawn sheet sullicient to provid(` tm' l the rchca'ting and softening ot' the toughcnw ed skin. so that the .sheet ot' glass nl'tcr passing over the bonding member may flatten in the horizontal plane Without other heat apl plication.

The short travel from the hot molten glass in the bottom of and through the cooled Well 3 into the cooled chamber 7, with quick bend in the chamber 7, reduces the time interval to a minimum for sheet glass formation in continuous drawing from, a tank. The metal as to lineal extent has a minimum of mass in the range of crystallizing or devitrifying temperature, and such period of temperature maintenance is short with the glass in a supercooled state from which it 1s changed prccluding devitrication. In the sharp bend of the guide 2l, proximity of the guide 2l to thc tanl: level and the co-operation of the well, are 'factors permitting this short interval and elilecting cooling of the molten mass at the Withdrawal rate thereof, thus avoiding any quantity in excess tor deleterious action.

l Accordingly the sheet has taken only and initial set and may pass along the way from. the chamber 7, through the opening 5l." to the chamber 8. However, definite width to the draw may be insured by the triinmiir rolls 3G detachably mounted on the widt maintaining, preferably internally coolr rolls 36', driven by Worms 37 on sha'l'ts 88. The shaft 38 is driven by 'one et glass drawing mechanism rollers 39, 1 rollers 39 are actuated by worms i0 on i f shaft 26. ,r

The draw 4l from the tank l 'through the well 3, may have the edge trimmings l2 taken therefrom to leave' the continumis `sheet ol glass t3 entering the chamber 8, et uniform width and thickness. 'lfc remore any deposit, as well as bring to and maintain the glass sheet at an annealing temperature, it ma be caused to travel over a per-- forate diaphragm or llame excluding heatl transmitting screen allor such period as may be desired, herein shown as in one chamber. This screen is readily replaceable through the opening 4l.

Owing to the temperature ot the glass :et the bend, due lo the bend taking place at the earliest possible moment alter complete lormation ol' the glass sheet, und due to the use ot' 'a hydrocarbon sluier-cooling fluid, the thermal endurance of the glass :it the bend is not overtaxed, and there is n. recovery ot plasticity hereinbet'ore mentioned. ln using the expressionsthermal endurance, il'y is desired to denote the physical emilnrance/ ci the glass caused by dill'erent temperatures litt oi' the internal and external layers of 'the glass, whereby there is strain caused by unequal expansion or contraction. Y

'lhe temperature of the chamber 8 is auton'iatically regulated by therein controlling the motor 16., The motor i6 is connected to a valve 45 in fuel line 45 supplying burners 47 below the screen 4,4. The temperature here may be gaged to avoid any internal permanent stress,vas well as remove any hydrocarbon deposit on the glass in order that there may be no irregularities in the 'travel of the glass along its Way over the idler rollers 48 and the live rollers in chamber 8 it is contemplated to give the sheet 43 a definite flat form in., a horizontal plane with the mass in such a state plastic viscosity that it completely flattens ,As the glass new travels into the first of chambers l0, it passes over the idler roller 48, which is somewhat cooled by radiation.

To-avoid the introduction of permanent internal stress, the glass 43 in traveling through the succeeding chambers 10, may have its cooling slowed up to maintain at a minimum the diti'erence of temperatures on the surface and interior of the glass sheet 43, until the glass passes from the initial set to a permanent set or hardening throughout the mass. Y I f The rolls 48 are removable, and as glass has slow conductivity for heat'l,-thesev rolls are preferably insulated and of low conductivity material in order that there may not be localizing of heat withdrawal from the continuous sheetfof glass in its travel along the way. `When a comparatively low aunealiniT temperaturezis used, the rolls 48 may be or glass having a high melting point.

rThis minimizing of temperature dilerence as to the different portions-of the formed mass is the delicate feature for `temporature control in the transformation,particularly in sheet glass :from the stage of softness to thc stage of full setting or hardening as eX- tcnding through the thickness of the glass..

As there can be no permanent internal stress in soft glass (other than crystals or devitrication), and likewise no permanent internal stress can re-appear in hard set glass, thehandling herein outlined precludes the dei'elopnient of any permanentinternal stress or outward stra-in promoting set. y

To lag the cooling for uniformity approximation througl'iout the mass, the glass 43.in

passing from the chamber 8, enters the envelope 49, as a radiation restricting tubeof refractory material, confining the heat given of? by the cooling glassto a small region' adjacent the glass, and prevent dran 1 bts, which give unequal cooling, warping, not racturing, the Sheet.

'Each chamber l0 has its temperature about tbeaneelope 49 maintained ai by its the pyrometer pyrometer 15 controlling a fuel supply valve to its'burners 47. Still further range of'pyrometer travel past the cutting down of burner operation controls the valvev 50 in the low pressure air supply line 18 for the additional cooling of such chambers 10 as may `be practicable without injury to the glass 43. Each of the chambers 8, l() is provided with a ventilator 9 for the escape of gases therefrom in accordance with adjustment and as occasion may necessitate'.v

For further restricting the edge radiation from the envelope 49, and consequent` more rapid chilling of the edges of the sheet of glass with possibilities of warping,.if not fracture, arising therefrom, the supplementary shields or asbestos edgeA covers 52 are provided. These poor conductor covers '52 are so designed as to assist in averaging up the mass cooling of the sheet of .travelling glass.

ln practice the chambers may run in various length intervals aggregating say a. two

hundred footleer in length, and when a chamber is long, there must be sufficient Supporting'rollers 48 to. carry the sheet of glass.

However, for superior ware roduction, a minimum length of leer is possible herein, as also a fast travel of the glass sheet therethrough, for immediate] the ware has taken on its hardening throng out the mass thereof, internal stress danger is greatly reduced, and the temperature drop may not only approachthe natural steps, but may be forced foracceleratingthe cooling as far as compatible without over-taxing the thermal endurance of the glass sheet in cooling to a state permitting handling as it is discharged from the outlet opening- 53.

This temperature maintenance for uniform cooling throughout the glass massV` with 54 (Fig) shows the slow drop of the' curve 55 to the. hardening 'point 56, with the more -a few seconds or minutesapU the most. VllVith theglass thus approaching the set or hardening point, when it has AVcol'ed one third,

speeding the rate of cooling thereafter, to-V gether with the deliyeryat high temperature, means considerable ysaving of the leer length and consequent; reduction in installation expense, or an'increa'se` of speed through the leer thereby 4 makingv van increase of product.

Instead of a fluid escape from the stationary vent 24, the end of effective vlubrication may be obtained by providing a rotatable guide v57 (see Fig. 5) over which the draw of, glass is bent, said guide 57 proturding ius i `vertical time or distance interval markings llo into the chamber 58 to contact the rotatable The following member 59 is effective to bring a uniform supply ofthe liquid into' contact with the face of the guide roller 57, so it .may be taken out tocontact the glass guided thereon through `the vrent 64C, practically sealed by the draw of glass. ylhe sealing caused bythe tight fit of the guide 57 in theI openin or" the chamber 58 controls the feed as Wel as prevents access of hot gas or atmosphere into the chamber 5,8.

To safeguard in the event of generation oi? vapors at the bending guide, which vapors might not escape at the vent, there is pro-l 'vided the duct 61 in communication with the circulation system return line 29, which duct 6l has a relier' valve 5l. i

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank for the molten glass supply, a hollow bending member having fluid supply means leading `from the interior tothe exterior. bending surface thereof, and a leer to which glass passing` the bending member from the tank may be delivered.

2. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism. a tank for molten glass supply,

and a bending member for glass Jfrom the tank, said member having a. Huid supply duct therein and a-feed slot connecting the duct and outer bending surface-of the bending member. .c r

3. ln sheet. glass drawing mechanism, a hollow member about which the sheet is bent, said member having an interior reservoir for 'fluid lubricant, and a vent for the lubricant communicatingwith the bend- .ing surface.

42. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank for molten glass supply, a. convex bending `duide for glass from the tank, said guide being provided with an internal reservoir and with a vent from said reservo-ir through the bending portion thereot to the glass contacting guide surface permitting lubrication of the guide there through, and a leer to which the guide may deliver.

5. A molten glass container and means 'tor 'forming glass therefrom into a." sheet` includinga a liquid hydrocarbon lubricated `guide.

(l, vln Yeontinucms sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank tor molten glass, al duid carl/on conngound lubricated fixed guide tor .changing the direction of draw travel ot metal as formed glass from the tank.

7. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank ttor i'uolten `glass supply, a bending inen'iber -lor glass 'from `the tank, a leer, a perforate diafjihrag'm in the leer suifliorting means -l'or the glass in the leer, one side ol" which the formed glass may noemer pass, anda burner on the opposite side of 9. In continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a. tank formolten glassxsupply, a bending member for glass from the tank, a leer, and spaced from the leerwalls in lthe leer an envelope for the glass delivered by the member to the leer.

y l0. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank for molten glass supply,y

a bending member for glass from the supply, and a horizontal leer embodying several chambers ina straight series to which the continuous sheet glass may travel successively.

11. ln continuous sheet .glass drawing mechanism, a tank for molten metal, a bending memberv forJ regulating draw of glass from the tank, a horizontal leer having; severa-l chambers in straight series for cor.- tinuous travel of the glass sheet therethrough, and pyrometric control means .independently adjusting thetemperatures of the chambers.

12. InI continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank for molten glass supply, a bendingmember for glass from the tank, a horizontal leer, and spaced from' the leer lwalls radiation restricting shields in the leer for glass from the member.

13. In continuous sheet glass drawing ico mechanism, a tank for molten glass, a bending member for glass from the tank, a horizontal leer, burner means for the leer, supporting meansv orthe glass in the leer, .and a perforate diaphragm as a llame excluding heat-transmitting screen between the burner means and glass in the leer.

14. n continuous sheet glass drawing, the method of bending` a draw of vnmltefn metal the metal.

y 15. In continuous sheet glass drawing', the method of treatingT drawn plastic glass including the glass.

16. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism. a tank for molten l:glass supply, and thercabove a bending member for glass from the tank, there being' iuid carbon comn pound lubricating Ameans for the glass contacting portions of the bending` member'.

17. ln continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism in which the sheet ot glass is first drawn vertically, then bent to il hori including liquid hydrocarbon lubrication of -Zontal plane, a tank providing a pool for glass supply a stationary convex ilass from the tank., said: ,a .i e tank in proximity.

molten bending guide for guide being over liquid hydrocarbon supercooling of f ture o` the glass in the poo the glass ool in the tank providing an open upward raw from tlie'pool, and a leer to which the guide may deliver glass horizontally from said upward draw.

18. In sheet glass drawing mechanism., a

tank for molten glass supply, and a trans versely extending member disposed above the tank in proximity thereto forming a convex bending guide for Vlass 4from the tank, there being fluid car 'n compound supplly means at the glass bendingregion of t e member for lubricating the member.

19. In continuous sheet glass drawing mechanism, a tank for a pool of molten4 glass, a fixed-draw well having walls extending down into the ol of the tank and short lof the bottom ov the tank, temperature control circulating means in the walls of the well, a. bending guide as to4 which the glass from the well may have relative travel thereover, and a leer to whichthe guide may deliver.

20. In continuous sheet lass drawin ,the method of drawing sheet g ass from a depth Kool of plastic mo ten 'glass Ain contact `with otter molten lass movin thereunder, .-ncludin contro ably lowerln the temperal gelow the draw region surface by providing@ v,closed passage below the surface of the ooland circulatipg a temperature control ing medium bendin of thesheet 1n its initlnlly {orming region efore cooled to retain strains therein, and lubricating thesheet on the supporting side of said bent portion by a carbon compound uid in its'coaction wil 1 the hot sheet of glass.

supplying 23. Sheet glass drawing mechanism com'- rising a tank for a pool of molten glass, a'

)ending member disposed over the pool and fixedly mounted against r'ovement transl versely of the sheet from the pool passing.

thereover, and means actuating the sheet for sliding the sheet relatively to the member.during the progress of the sheet from the tank.

. In witness whereof I aix my signature.

*ROBERT G. EWING. 

